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Mesa M6 Carbine Mega-Thread Pt Deux
- Thread starter Chef
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Man I just don't need the power, but I like a little compression every now and again. One in the for sale forum and was curious.
ptidwell
Commercial User
Has anyone A/B'ed a TFB550B against the M6. I am curious about the M6 warmth, vs my 550B. Anyone?
Comparing my M9 manual to the on line M6 manual, the controls are the same.
One of the differences is that the different positions on the M6 can be accessed remotely while the M9 cannot.
LeonD
One of the differences is that the different positions on the M6 can be accessed remotely while the M9 cannot.
LeonD
The 550B is definitely "warmer" IMHO. In fact, too "warm" for my tastes. The M6 is much crisper through the highs and upper mids. I was kinda' frustrated a bit by my 550B... just seemed kinda' muffled almost in some ways.
ptidwell
Commercial User
Vic, interesting that you used crisper in your discription empasizing the highs and mids, something I find myself trying to dial in on the Funk.
some used the term warmer in a discussion, and attributed it to the tube. Although I have heard the M6 live, I haven't had the opportunity to A/B it, I am looking for an alternative. I went from the DB750 to the TFB550B
so you may understand what I'm looking for.
Speaking fairly generally to keep things simple, IMHO, the DB750 and TFB550B seem to go for generally the same kind of classic punchy tone focused mainly in the lows and mids. Much like a lot of the typical Mesa stuff does. The M6/M9 are a total departure from that, and the tube is really just to add a bit of roundness to the tone. It's not really in there to go after a true tube amp sound. It's a quicker snappier, more "modern" sounding amp. It's probably my favorite amp right now. Plenty of go-juice if I need it, too.
Paul,
This will give you a "pre/power" rack vibe with whiskers if you choose, or clean and crisp; depending on attack...
I have an M9 and a TF750A, and they are both incredible amps. The TF750A is definitely a warmer amp that drips with that old school vibe with the switch in the tube sim mode. In the SS mode, it is brighter and snappier, and more like the M9, which is definitely a cleaner and snappier voiced amp in general with many EQ possibilities (graphic and parametric). The compressor on the M9 is very cool as well. Both of these amps serve up loads of wallop, so you will never struggle to be heard or felt!
I love them both for their respective strengths, as they complement one another very well. I am totally happy on the amp front now, with absolutely no GAS, or even desire to look at another amp!
Hope that helped.
I love them both for their respective strengths, as they complement one another very well. I am totally happy on the amp front now, with absolutely no GAS, or even desire to look at another amp!
Hope that helped.
I've owned this amp for almost a year now and everytime I gig it, it's like "New Amp Day" 
. A strong, tight punch with rich harmonics that RULE the pocket.
I will be making plans later today to be buried with it.
That is all...
. A strong, tight punch with rich harmonics that RULE the pocket.I will be making plans later today to be buried with it.
That is all...
Yeah, but you can't fry hamburgers on top of the M9 like you can the TFB750A.
That's actually a big part of the reason I got rid of mine. It wasn't very "rack friendly" at all due to how much heat the case was dissipating. The 550 wasn't bad, but the 750 was well beyond what I was ok with (even tho I know it's his design to use the case as the heat sink like this, and that's "normal" for his amp).Oh, and yeah, my M6 is still doin' it for me in a big way.
Hey guys, I'm getting delivery of an M9 next week. Quick question, I have a 2 space Wood/carpet Grundorf rack. Would I be ok using this or should I look for something with extra spaces. I read somewhere on the thread of some issues w/ a gator rack bag. Any thoughts or suggestions will be very much appreciated.
The issues I had with the some racks seemed to be related to available cooling vent space on the *sides* of the amp; in whichever rack.
Hot air exits the sides, make sure there's good room for it to leave.
Hot air exits the sides, make sure there's good room for it to leave.
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Take a look at the vents in the outer panels. If you see vents on the top or sides, then I would suggest leaving room for air movement around those vents.
I have my M6 in a SKB 2 space rack and there's plenty of space on the sides and top for airflow.
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